Funnel weaver spiders
closely resemble wolf spiders, but t hey
can usually be distinguished from wolf spiders because wolf spiders
do not build webs. Funnel weavers are also usually lighter
in build than wolf spiders. Many common funnel weavers are
also characterized by having bristly legs. Most are brown,
with gray, black, and tan markings. All spiders in this family
have 8 eyes. Like all spiders, funnel weavers have 8 legs, 2 body
parts (cephalothorax and abdomen), and no antennae.

What is a Grass
Spider?
"Grass Spider" is a name used for the common funnel weaver
spiders that build their webs in lawns and grassy fields. They
are the most commonly seen funnel weavers in Kentucky.

SIZE:
Body length up to about 1"

LIFE
CYCLE

Like
all spiders, funnel weavers and grass spiders go through a simple
metamorphosis. Young funnel weavers and grass spiders hatch
from eggs and look like tiny adults. They shed their skin
as they grow.

ECOLOGY

Funnel weavers and
grass spiders build funnel-shaped webs close to the ground. The
spider hides in the narrow end of this funnel, which is usually
protected by leaves or rocks. When an insect, spider, or other
small creature crosses the wide end of the funnel, the spider feels
the vibration and rushes out to grab the prey. Funnel weaver
and grass spiders are incredibly quick, and can dash from the protected
part of their web to the other end at lightning speed. These
spiders are common in many Kentucky habitats, including lawns and
on the forest floor.

PEST
STATUS

Funnel
weaver and grass spiders are beneficial predators. They very
rarely leave their webs, so they don't often enter homes. They
will only bite if provoked, and are not considered dangerous.

COMMON
KENTUCKY FUNNEL WEAVERS

GRASS
SPIDERSGENUS: AgelenopsisGrass Spiders
are very common in Kentucky. We have several species, but
they are all virtually identical in appearance and behavior. Below
are two views of a grass spider in the Agelenopsis genus.

Grass Spider (B. Newton, 2003)

Grass spider, hiding at the end of her funnel (B. Newton, 2003)

COLLECTING
& PHOTOGRAPHY

These are very fast
spiders, so you have to be quick with your jar or camera. Look
for funnel weaver and grass spider webs on summer mornings when
the dew has settled on the webs. Remember: never pick up any
spider with bare hands. All spiders should be preserved in
alcohol when collected.

FUNNEL
WEAVER FACTS

Although it does not
live in Kentucky, the notorious Hobo Spider from the Western U.S.
is a member of this family of spiders. It has a bite which
may produce effects similar to a brown
recluse bite (although the danger of both spiders has been the subject of much debate!). Members of Agelenidae in Kentucky are not
dangerous. Brown recluse and hobo spiders are not closely
related.

MYTHS
- LEGENDS - FOLKLORE

An old saying about
grass spiders:
when there is dew on thier webs in the lawn in the morning, it will
be a beautiful day.

Original document: 25 May 2004Last updated: 26 June 2007

Photos courtesy R.
Bessin and B. Newton, University of Kentucky
The Kentucky Critter Files are maintained
by Blake Newton, Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky.
Contact: blaken@uky.edu